Reliably detect ultra-rare mutations and indels with Switch-Blocker™ technologies from Aegea Biotechnologies. Switch-Blocker efficiently and reliably suppresses an ocean of normal (non-mutated) DNA and RNA, allowing the target you want to amplify with discrimination. Used in PCR, NGS, and Microarray technologies, Switch-Blocker can be applied to:
The three components of Switch-Blocker work to suppress normal, non-mutated DNA and prevent polymerase extension. But in the presence of a mutation Switch-Blocker destabilizes to allow polymerase extension.
Suppresses normal (non-mutated) DNA amplification — noise reduction
Anchor generates increased local concentration of Switch-Blocker™ at site of mutation detection, and Switch is highly unstable in presence of point mutation
Switch-Blocker’s not only have superior performance compared to other technologies they can give your assay distinct advantages including:
Switch-Blocker is Aegea’s patented nucleic acid chemistry that enhances the sensitivity and specificity of molecular diagnostics. It functions by suppressing wild-type (or normal DNA) sequences while selectively amplifying rare mutations, enabling detection of genetic variants at frequencies below 0.01%—ideal for applications like oncology, infectious disease testing, transplantation, and personalized medicine.
By enriching mutant sequences and blocking wild-type amplification, Switch-Blocker reduces background noise and increases signal clarity. This results in faster, more accurate, cost-effective assays that can be seamlessly integrated into existing PCR and Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) workflows without the need for new instrumentation.
Aegea’s platform is capable of detecting a wide array of genetic alterations, including single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), insertions, deletions, and other rare mutations. Switch-blockers specialize in identifying low abundance, clinically relevant somatic mutations present in highly degraded samples or fragmented DNA like liquid biopsies. Proven examples of these include mutations in genes such as EGFR, KRAS, and ESR1 which are pivotal in cancer diagnostics and treatment planning.
Absolutely. Aegea has applied its Switch-Blocker technology to develop highly sensitive PCR-based COVID-19 assays capable of distinguishing viral strains and quantifying viral load. These assays can be rapidly customized for emerging variants and other pathogens.
